Secretary of State Jim Edgar is warning Illinois drivers who do not have liability insurance mandated by law face possible fines and loss of their vehicle registration.

Illinois drivers who have not purchased liability insurance by the Jan. 1 deadline risk a $500 fine and suspension of their license plates, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

“The five million responsible motorists in this state are tired of footing the bill for thousands of accidents they don’t cause. It’s only fair that motorists be responsible and carry insurance,” Edgar said.

The Secretary of State’s Office will check motorists for insurance three ways. If stopped for a traffic violation, an officer might ask for an insurance card. If involved in an accident, a person must fill out a report containing mandatory insurance information, which would be verified with the company named on the report. A state computer can randomly pick a vehicle registration sending a letter from the Secretary of State’s Office requiring proof of insurance.

A person who does not have liability insurance when the letter is sent or fails to return verification to the state would have his license plates suspended, according to Edgar’s office.

In addition, if stopped without liability insurance, a driver must pay a minimum fine of $500, have his license plates suspended for at least two months and a minimum fine of $1,000 for driving without insurance.

A $50 fine and proof of insurance is necessary before a suspension will be lifted. Repeat offenders must pay a fine of $100.

Liability insurance pays for injuries or damages caused by a vehicle. Passing the mandatory liability insurance law makes Illinois the 41st state to require the insurance.

The necessary insurance cards will be mailed to policy holders by their insurance companies. If a vehicle owner already has insurance or purchased it early enough this year, he should have it by the deadline, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Edgar’s office suggests seeing an insurance agent immediately if a vehicle owner does not have liability insurance. If there is a problem getting accepted by a company, a vehicle owner can ask that company about the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. The plan is a state-monitored program for drivers who have difficulty getting insurance.

A person who has any complaints with an insurance company, should write to: Illinois Departmant of Insurance Consumer Services Section, 320 West Washington, Springfield, Ill., 62767.

For any additional questions about the new law, a vehicle owner can write the Secretary of State’s Office. Secretary of State, Mandatory Insurance Program, 434 Centennial Building, Springfield, Ill., 62767. The Secretay of State’s Office can be called directly at (312) 793_1010 in the Chicago area or (800) 252_8980 from anywhere else in the state.